Marley and Me Highlights Pet Behavior Issues

While the December release of the film Marley and Me, based on John Grogan’s bestselling book, struck a chord with families this holiday season, the mischievous star of the film may also be striking a familiar chord with pet owners struggling to manage their own pet’s naughty behaviors.

Proper training can help reduce and eliminate those behaviors that appear cute on the big screen but in our own homes can be destructive and harmful to our pets and the relationships we have with them.

The Human Hierarchy:

In order to have a strong, manageable relationship with your dog, it's important that you establish the position that all humans are higher up in the hierarchy. Do not use physical intimidation to establish human hierarchy. Physical intimidation may leave a dog feeling threatened and defensive, and may even provoke an attack. Raising your voice and shouting can make dogs nervous and provoke aggression.

Most dogs are perfectly happy submitting to a leader and may actually gain confidence and a sense of security from having someone to follow. A good pack leader projects a sense of strength by using a steady voice and reacts calmly to situations that make the dog nervous. The successful pack leader also provides food, shelter, and attention to the dog when she behaves appropriately. Having her repeatedly follow your commands (sit, stay and lie down) reinforces your position above her in the hierarchy.

One of the main ways to develop your position in the hierarchy is to link rewards with desirable behaviors. For example if your dog wants to go for a walk she must sit before you put her leash on. If your dog wants to be fed she must sit and stay until the bowl is put down and you have given her permission to go to the bowl. Making your dog work for all of the things that she wants will help teach her that you are the leader and that listening to you will lead to rewards.

The Social Life of Your Pet:

Socializing is one of the most important things you can do to train your young dog. The less afraid your puppy is of other people and animals, the less likely she is to act defensively or aggressively toward another dog or a person.

During the optimal developmental period (about 8-15 weeks of age), you can introduce her to a bigger world of experiences. Take her to new and exciting places – the park, a friend's house – introduce her to children, in a well-supervised environment.

Remember to be patient as it may take several tries before she is fully ready to take on the situation. Do not push the puppy if she is not feeling comfortable. Soon she'll associate the environment with fun and playtime, and she'll become a canine socialite.

Positive Thinking:

There is a natural tendency, when thinking about training, to think in negatives. We don’t want the puppy to chew the furniture, to piddle on the carpet or jump up on guests.

Trying to teach “don’ts” is never as effective as teaching “dos.” The key to keeping your puppy from doing what you don't want her to do is giving her a positive alternative--teaching her what you do want her to do.

Try to catch your puppy doing something good, like sitting still instead of jumping up or sleeping on the floor instead of the bed. Make a point of noticing these behaviors and rewarding them with attention, praise or treats.

Training is a gradual process and it can be a difficult road to walk alone. It's vital that everyone living with the pet agrees and commits to the same training plan so that your pet gets a consistent message.

Be persistent and above all, be patient. Your puppy's going to make a lot of mistakes and may damage some of your belongings. Know that she is eager to please you. She needs your love, attention and guidance to be the good dog you know she can be.

A well behaved Marley in your house will be even more cute and cuddly than the one on the big screen.

Ask your veterinarian about programs and exercises designed to establish the behavior you desire for your pet.

Separation Anxiety:

Puppies, like human toddlers, go through an oral exploratory and teething phase. During this time, pretty much anything in reach might end up in the pup’s mouth. It is vital to supervise puppies until they outgrow this stage, teaching them what items are appropriate for chewing. Even in adult dogs, chewing is normal dog behavior (thus the existence of a multiplicity of chew toys).

However, not all destructive chewing behavior is simply puppies exploring their environment. It’s very important to realize that Marley probably suffered from separation anxiety. Dogs with separation anxiety typically exhibit one or more of the following behaviors when their owners are absent:

Dogs with separation anxiety need specific treatment aimed at reducing their anxiety about being left. Medications are often indicated, at least in the short term, to reduce anxiety and facilitate learning. Regular training does not directly address the dog’s anxiety, and rarely makes a significant improvement in these cases. Getting the anxious dog a “friend” is rarely helpful either, as the dog’s anxiety stems from the absence of the owner. A veterinarian with a special interest in behavior issues can be instrumental in helping these dogs.

This article was contributed by Laurie Thornton, DVM, associate at Deer Creek Animal Hospital focusing on animal behavior, with additional information provided by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). For more information, visit www.dcah.com or call, 303-973-4200.